Ranger – At just 8 years old, New Mexico native James Asherbranner, better known as “Ponytail Mike,” was already working.
He wasn’t pulling weeds or raking leaves; he was working in carnivals. For eight seasons, Asherbranner worked running games. He would stand behind the tables of such games as Duck Pond and Crazy Ball, assisting folks who wanted to win.
“It was easy,” he said. “All I had to do was look at the number and give them that prize.”
Asherbranner was too busy with the games to do much roller-coaster riding, although he did manage to ride the thrill-seeking transport carriers once or twice.
“You really don’t have that much time when you’re running your business,” he said. “It wasn’t the fact of the safety issues, it’s just that you see it every day so it wasn’t that interesting as far as being special.”
One carnival event that stands out in his mind as being Asherbranner’s favorite occurred in 1976.
“It was the Bicentennial Celebration in Boston, and I got to re-enact the Tea Party at Bunker Hill and in the harbor. At that time, it was the largest fireworks display," he said. “I actually got to play the role of one of the Indians (Hopi), which being American Indian myself was kind of cool.”
Asherbranner has also worked in haunted houses. “Anything to do with a microphone, I was always in front of it,” he added.
Asherbranner has done many different types of work, including radio. He worked in Tampa, Fla., Baltimore and other areas behind the microphone. The stations were usually country western and talk radio; today, he does a country music radio podcast.
Adding to his impressive resume is time spent singing. He has been involved in the musical world and was a background singer for 37 years, primarily country and gospel.
Asherbranner has spent much of his time in business as well as the arts. He has bought and sold artwork as well as ran several galleries. As an artist himself, he enjoys creating statues, pottery and mosaics.
He has been at Decker’s Flea Market for 27 years, selling everything from antiques, artwork, buttons, bottles and comic books to records, jewelry, patches and just about everything miscellaneous. His shop is a picker’s dream.
“There’s been lots of memories, all the holidays, the crowds and all of the different music, dealers and vendors,” he said. “There’s just been a lot of build-up of memories.”
Asherbranner, who has a love for travel, has been around the world. When asked about his favorite place, he said. “I love London, absolutely. London was a gorgeous city to me. I love Paris – but to live, there’s nothing like the mountains of North Carolina.”
His future plans include continuing to work at Decker’s.
“I want to keep it the way it is,” Asherbranner said, “but expand it and just keep it going.”